احمد

Troy suffered greatly in February, 1886, from the overflow of the river, caused by an ice-gorge. With one exception all the schools in the lower part of the city were closed for from 8 days to a month. The recurrence of the disaster in March and epidemics of measles and scarlet fever all tended to making the year of 1885-'86 a peculiarly unfortunate one, although it had opened under very flattering circumstances. At the beginning of the fall term 3 new houses were occupied, and 15 new teachers were employed to instruct the 335 additional pupils enrolled. The district lines had been changed to conform more nearly to the needs of the school population, and all things seemed to favor a very prosperous year until the disasters spoken of. Nevertheless, the schools have been kept well np to the standard and have done good work, in spite of the drawbacks that have occurred, though many expected advances were impossible. The special music teacher has been very successful this year, and drawing has been taught more effectively by the introduction of more systematic methods. The high-school building is totally inadequate for the needs of the school, and a new house is asked for.

OHIO.

Cincinnati's board of education paid $65,516 upon school sites previously purchased, but bought no new lots during 1885-86. Twelve additional rooms were added to the present buildings, furnishing ample accommodations except in a few instances, ineluding the high schools. Here the rooms used for general exercises have been converted into class rooms, but this failed to relieve the pressure. The normal school continues to do excellent work, the graduating class numbering 47 this year. The University of Cincinnati is a part of the city's school system, and is said to be equal to any similar institution in the country, conferring 4 degrees. The evening schools were not re-opened during the year, nor have they been for 3 years past. A school for deaf-mutes is successfully conducted, with an average attendance of 22 pupils, under 2 able teachers. The course of study in all the schools has been revised, important changes being made in languages, arithmetic, and geography. A growing sentiment against percented examinations is noted, and less importance is attached to them than ever before. The discipline in the schools is good and the infliction of corporal punishment is very rare. Much attention is paid to the study of German, and special teachers are employed for it. Music, penmanship, and drawing are also taught by special instructors.

Cleveland reports the opening of 2 new schools during 1885-'86. The "specialteacher" system in the high schools has not found favor in the eyes of the superintendent and was greatly modified during the year, with good results, it is said. The training school is prosperous and graduated more of its pupils this year than ever before. Night schools are conducted with an average attendance of 579.5, requiring 23 teachers. Marked progress has been made by those who attended regularly. German is taught by special teachers, and music, penmanship, and drawing are supervised by specialists.

Columbus schools were crippled financially this year by an action of the tax commission reducing the levy for school purposes. One new building of 11 rooms was occupied at the beginning of the year and is now comfortably filled. Another is still in process of erection and will be ready for use in a few months. Notable improvement has been made in the systems of heating and ventilation in many of the buildings. An additional school has been opened in the Garfield building. The superintendent of drawing has instructed his pupils during the year in modelling, but beyond this no steps have been taken toward manual training. Pupils are encouraged, however, to make fancy articles, requiring skill and thought, for the ornamentation of their school-rooms. A business course has been recently introduced in the high school in response to the popular clamor for practical education. The study of music is superintended by a skilled musician.

Dayton's school board pursues a liberal policy toward the schools under its charge, and it has brought them to a high degree of usefulness. A greater number is in attendance than ever before, and at the close of year 1885-'86 $52,892 remained in the treasury. A handsome edifice to be used for the school library is approaching completion, and the 22,941 volumes will then be well cared for. Two new school buildings, each containing 4 rooms, will soon be ready for their occupants. The College street building has been remodelled at a cost of $650, and an annex to another building has been fitted for school purposes at a small cost. Three night schools are maintained, one for the ordinary English branches and one each for architectural and mechanical drawing. Slight changes have been made in the course of study, particularly in the high school. The normal class continues to do excellent work.

Newark is jusly proud of the splendid new high-school building dedicated in April, 1886. It is built of pressed brick and sandstone, finished in polished woods, and is 98 feet front by 104 feet deep and 106 feet to the pinnacle of the tower. The schoolrooms, not including the assembly room or the recitation rooms, are provided with desks for 425 pupils. The assembly room is furnished with 540 opera chairs, and is

235 The entire cost of the 92 feet wide by 38 deep. The entire building is thoroughly ventilated and well heated, about 3 miles of pipe being used in the heating apparatus. building, lot, and furniture was $62,000. There are now 41 school-rooms occupied in the city, and the number of teachers shows an increase of 2 over last year. Special teachers are employed for German, penmanship, and music.

Sandusky reports an increased enrolment this year, and the addition of 3 more teachers to the corps. Nine hundred and six pupils study German and 5 special teachers are employed for the study of that language.

Steubenville has 2,340 children in its schools and an abundance of room for many more. The buildings are all in fair condition, and the majority are well heated and ventilated. A gradual improvement in discipline is noted, and this, too, while mild methods are superseding the use of the rod.

OREGON.

Portland explains the very slight increase in the enrolment for 1885-'86 by the fact that the Catholic children have been withdrawn from the public schools. A magniticent house for the high school has been completed during the year after an expenditure of nearly $130,000. It is a model school building, provided with every modern convenience. Unfortunately, the contract for its erection contained no clause relating to the furniture and fixtures of the assembly room, and a series of public entertainments have been given by the pupils for the purpose of supplying them, and about $1,150 have been realized.

Since the completion of this building no more money has been paid for rents for school purposes. Extensive repairs have been made upon the older buildings.

PENNSYLVANIA.

Beaver Falls schools were in session 160 days in 1885-'86, and a prosperous year is reported. The population of the town is rapidly increasing, and the accommodations of the primary and intermediate departments are now inadequate. Assistant teachers have been placed in the first-year rooms of two schools, and the experiment has proven successful.

Chambersburgh schools have made much more satisfactory progress in 1885-'86 than in the year previous, but they are still hindered by the lack of buildings and teachers. Even after a new building has been opened, with a capacity of 250 pupils, the average number of scholars in each room in the primary department is 66. A regular course of study was arranged during the year and put into use, by which the work of each grade is largely increased.

Johnstown children were very regular in their attendance upon the schools during 1885-86, and reached the highest percentage in the history of the schools, 94.6. An increased improvement in discipline is noticeable, and corporal punishment is seldom necessary. Drawing is thoroughly and practically taught by a special teacher.

Westchester rejoices in increased school facilities and improved classification of its schools. A complete re-organization of the intermediate and primary departments has been made possible by the opening of a handsome new school-house, containing 12 large rooms, and this step, long needed, was taken during the year. Slight changes have been made in text-books, but the course of study remains substantially the same as last year. A considerable amount has been expended in new furniture for three of the departments. The graduating exercises of the high school were more largely attended than ever before.

Wilkesbarre reports that the year 1885-'86 has been one of unusual interest in the schools. The principal incident to be noted is the complete revision of the course of study in all the schools; new studies have been introduced and the course extended in such a way as to add greatly to the efficiency of the schools. Book-keeping and commercial law have been taught for the first time in the high school, and a new course, entirely, the English scientific, established. The "no-recess plan" was introduced in April last and has given general satisfaction. It is a noteworthy fact that nearly all the teachers subscribe regularly for educational periodicals, showing a desire for self-improvement. A large number of cases of tardiness has occurred during the year, the average being 5 to each scholar.

RHODE ISLAND.

Bristol maintains 10 graded and 1 ungraded schools, employing 25 teachers. The sanitary condition of all the buildings is not good, and immediate attention to the matter is requested. Many improvements in desks and furniture are noted. The course of study remains the same as last year.

Johnston school committee are greatly hampered by the school-district system, whereby they have no control over the schools except in the division of money. The condition of the schools does not seem to be very encouraging, except in a few districts. There is a general lack of books and apparatus, truancy causes considerable trouble, and many of the buildings are in wretched condition. Repairs in some cases

have been made; 2 districts have built new houses and another has enlarged its building and repainted it, but these improvements are exceptional. It appears that the establishment of a high school has been determined upon. Some improvements in methods of teaching are reported.

Newport schools are in a comparatively good condition, and under a competent corps of teachers. The course of study is revised annually, and the principal changes made this year include an increase of laboratory work in physics in the high school and a more thorough study of English throughout the course. In compliance with the State law the study of physiology and hygiene was introduced last September, and the scope of the study will be gradually enlarged. Excellent methods of examination and marking are in use, the pupils being allowed to appeal from any injustice in marking and to profit by their errors. The attendance has been larger this year than ever before. A kindergarten, evening schools, special teachers for music and drawing, are noted.

Pawtucket is greatly benefited by the truant law, as the increased attendance of the pupils and the absence of the idle children from the streets show. The teachers evince a commendable desire to improve their methods of teaching, and it is said that they leave nothing undone that will conduce to that end. The occupation of the two new houses mentioned in the last report has relieved the crowding in the primary schools, and two more brick buildings are being built and will soon be ready for use. An additional teacher has been employed for the high school, and a new room opened for the grammar school. It is hoped that thus all the pressing needs of the schools may be provided for. Four evening schools are in operation, under 31 teachers. An evening drawing school has proven itself to be exceedingly useful to its pupils. The plan of abolishing the long noon recess and liberating the children at 2 o'clock has beeu accorded a trial during the year and will be permanently adopted.

Westerly received and expended $6,868 for schools during 1885-86. The buildings are not all in good order, and much of the furniture is of an antiquated pattern, but in one district, No. 1, the schools.are graded and well supplied with improved desks and apparatus. A new primary-school building will soon be completed in this district, and all its wants will then be provided for as far as accommodations are concerned.

Woonsocket streets are remarkable for the absence of idle children. The truant law is rigidly enforced, and the small number of children out of the schools is very gratifying. The subjects of sanitation and ventilation are receiving increased attention, and the school committee recently passed a resolution to prohibit the erection of any more school-houses without complete arrangements for proper ventilation, &c. The 5 parochial schools are in the main well conducted, and are under the supervision, if not control, of the school committee. Four evening schools, with a total enrolment of 574, were open 50 nights during 1885-'86, and admirable discipline was maintained and good results obtained. Many of the buildings are badly crowded, and in one district relief has been had by the erection of an attractive house, with all modern conveniences, costing over $6,000.

SOUTH CAROLINA.

Columbia reports a gratifying improvement in punctuality and increased interest in the schools. The amount available for school uses is gradually increasing, and the unexpended balance on hand at the end of the year 1885-'86 is larger than ever before. Teachers' meetings have been held for the first time during the year and much benefit is derived. The school-rooms are all well equipped, but more are needed.

TENNESSEE.

Chattanooga's school year is composed of nine months. The schools are so graded that each grade requires a year's study, but in the primary department, and occasionally in the grammar grades, promotions are made oftener when individuals show themselves capable of maintaining their standing in the higher class. The enrolment shows an increase of 163 over last year, and the decreased percentage of attendance is explained by the fact that high water a part of the time prevented many of the children from going to school.

Union City school interests are steadily advancing and the schools well attended. The school year has been lengthened from seven to eight months and the daily session made one-half hour longer. Tardiness and truancy have been almost wholly abolished by the stringent regulations made during the year. New methods are introduced when the old are found to be at fault, but generally a conservative spirit rules. During 1885-'86 colored schools have been organized under the same management as the white schools, and an enrolment in them of 237 pupils is reported.

TEXAS.

Galveston lost one of its best and most commodious school-houses in the great fire of November, 1885, but in its place has arisen a model of school architecture, capable of seating 450 pupils. By this fire 600 school children were made homeless, but never

theless the registration and attendance of the schools continued to increase. The pub. lic-school system is more popular than ever before, and it is almost impossible to provide new buildings as fast as the growth of the schools demand. A number of new class rooms have been added, and these have made it easier to maintain discipline and facilitate the work of the schools generally. An additional colored school was opened during the year, and a new house and lot has been purchased for the Broadway colored school. The opening of evening schools is being discussed.

Houston reports a healthy condition of the schools and their continued growth. Some of the buildings have been crowded this year, and for several months one-half day sessions were the rule. Two neat new houses have already been opened and a third has been begun, and it is thought that these will do much to relieve the pressure. Teachers' meetings have been regularly held with good results. Book-keeping is a part of the high-school course.

Waco is a rapidly growing city, and the question of school accommodation is a serious one. An extensive addition to the 5th district building, already begun, will supply the present needs of that section. Plans for an elegant high-school building have been adopted and work upon it will be commenced immediately. A decrease of 15 per cent. in the registration of the colored schools is noted, while the white schools have increased 20 per cent. Thirty-six weeks compose the school year.

VERMONT.

Brattleborough employs 33 teachers in its 11 districts. In only one of these is the graded-school system in use, the others being too small to adopt it. The high-school building has been thoroughly repaired during the year, and a commodious new building erected in district No. 6. A teachers' institute held in the high-school building last fall by the State school superintendent was productive of much good.

WEST VIRGINIA.

Shepherdstown graded school is divided into the primary, intermediate, advanced, and grammar departments. The school year consists of 9 months, and the daily session is fixed at 6 hours. There are 6 ungraded schools in the district.

WISCONSIN.

Appleton is divided into 4 school districts, each apparently independent of the other, and nearly so of the board of education. Only one of these maintains a high school, and this school took a long step forward during 1885-'86 by the introduction of manual training. The basement has been arranged for the purpose, and the necessary tools and apparatus purchased. Considering the short time since the movement was inaugurated, the results are very encouraging and promise to be still bettor. Vocal music and drawing have been introduced during the year, and are taught by the regular teachers. The number of teachers is not large enough to do justice to the increased number of scholars, and the employment of more is recommended. Except in the case of some of the older buildings the houses are commodious, healthy, and convenient. The first district building has been enlarged and greatly improved; the third district is proud of its elegant new 3-story house, and the fourth has recently purchased a large lot as a future school site.

Madison reports increased prosperity of the schools during 1885-'86. The most approved methods of teaching are adopted, and the teachers take great pride in their work. Several of the schools have been crowded and recourse has been had to halfday session plan. The high school is filled to its utmost capacity; during the year its course of study has been revised, and the number of courses reduced from 4 to 3. Special advantages are enjoyed by students of modern languages. Industrial work to a limited extent is done in the primary grades. Special attention is paid to music, penmanship, and drawing, the first named being taught by a specialist.

Oshkosh was visited by an epidemic of measles during the year, and that, with the sickness cansed by public vaccination, had the effect of diminishing the attend ance upon the schools. Two night schoois have been opened the first time and have already achieved a good deal of success; $1 per month is charged to cover extra expeuse. During 1885-86 the examination system has been considerably modified; the monthly written reviews have been abolished and more importance is attached to the marking of daily recitations. A new building, the most elegant of its kind in the city, is being erected, and extensive repairs upon those already standing have been completed.

Stoughton schools are first and second primary, first and second intermediate, grammar, and high; drawing and book-keeping are given important places in the course of study.

Wausau high school is a source of special gratification; under very competent teachers unusually good results are obtained. During the year a school was opened in a rented room in a part of the city hitherto without school facilities. A house was soon afterward built for it, and it is now firmly established and successful.